Drapery shade and curtain hardware



Sept. 1, 1953 Filed Nov. 24 1950 l. LUNDSTROM DRAPERY SHADE AND CURTAIN HARDWARE 3 Sheets-Sheet l P 1953 l. LUNDSTROM 2,650,715

DRAPERY SHADE AND CURTAIN HARDWARE Filed Nov. 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 1953 1. LUNDSTROM 2,650,715

DRAPERY SHADE AND CURTAIN HARDWARE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 24 1950 I Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in devices for lowering and raising window drapes, shades, curtains, and the like, without removing the latter from the brackets or fixtures which normally support them.

Window ornamentation has become increasingly popular during recent years, and various brackets and fixtures have been developed for the use of the housewife to suspend drapes, curtains, shades, valances and so on.

Heretofore however, most of such fixtures have been permanently fastened to the window framework, and usually adjacent the uppermost regions thereof.

Consequently, in order to hang curtains for example, the housewife required the use of chairs, stepladders and so on, with frequent resulting mishaps.

The hanging and arranging of drapery, especially on the larger type of windows, has been an even more hazardous operation.

In other words, as is well understood, window decoration has heretofore been not only a dangerous, but also a very inconvenient undertaking, so that the primary object of my invention is to provide means whereby such operations may be performed easily, simply, and without danger of accident to the housewife.

That is to say, the present invention provides a mechanism operable by a housewife standing on the floor, said mechanism including means adapted to have one or several types of conventional hanger brackets removably and adjustably attached thereto for supporting shades, curtain rods and so on, and means whereby such assemblies may be raisedand lowered, as will appear.

In a general summary, the invention may be said to include six elements or parts, these being: a pair of similar spaced carrier members adapted to be raised and lowered; a horizontally disposed flat bar or truss rod for connecting the carrier members so that their movements are in unison; a pull cord within easy reach of a person standing on the floor for controlling the position of the connected carrier members; and a pair of similar spaced brackets for supporting upper stretches of said pull cord,'said brackets being permanently installed in spaced relation on the lintel portion of a window frame.

In addition, but only when a relatively long curtain rod is mounted on the mechanism, the invention includes a horizontally shiftable hook member one end of which is adapted to support the central portion of said rod, and the other end of which is slidably mounted on the aforesaid truss rod.

Various advantages and features not mentioned above, will be set forth in the description to follow, reference being had also to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention.

In the said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the upper portions of a conventional window framework with the present invention applied thereto, the view particularly illustrating the manner in which a curtain rod may be mounted at either end, and supported intermediate said ends by means of a horizontally shiftable and removable hook member;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, and taken approximately along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the curtain rod andits supporting hook omitted, the view illustrating the invention in a partially lowered position;

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the carrier members included in the invention;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of one of the cord supporting brackets included in the invention;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating both roller shade, and ring type drapery supporting fixtures mounted in position on the carrier members of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a view taken approximately on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to the right hand portion of Fig. 1, illustrating the mounting of a drapery fixture adapted to provide what is known as a gathered or pleated effect;

Fig. 10 is a view taken approximately on line Iii--lil in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is-a fragmentary elevation illustrating the mounting of a drapery fixture of the swing yp Fig. 12 is a view taken approximately on line 12-42 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to the right hand portion of Fig. 2, illustrating the mounting of a roller shade, a curtain rod, and a swing type drapery fixture;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view on an en larged scale taken on line i l-M of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a carrier member provided with means for mounting thereon a greater number of fixtures than the similar member portrayed in Fig. 5 can accommodate.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

numeral 26 designates a transverse truss rod adapted to connect, and to be rigidly attached at either end as will appear, to a pair of vertically movable carrier members designated by numerals 2| and 22.

The right hand carrier member 2| is illustrated per se in Fig. 5, and it is noted that the left hand carrier 22 is identical thereto in all respects.

The configuration of these carriers should be evident without detailed description, from an inspection of Figs. and 15. Each carrier member includes a series of elongated slots 49 formed in the vertical body portion 4| thereof, a rearwardly projecting flange portion 42 at the top, and a similar flange 4-3 at the bottom.

Said top and bottom flanges are each provided with two spaced apertures 44 in vertical alinement, and said bottom flange terminates in a forwardly inclined reversely bent clamp portion 45 for a reason to appear. The body portion of each carrier is provided with a transverse rearwardly projecting recess :35, as shown. This recess or cavity is formed intermediate said upper and lower flange portions, preferably in a plane above the horizontal centerline of the carrier, and is adapted to snugly receive one end of the truss rod 26 as will appear.

Numeral 23 indicates a conventional curtain supporting rod, which may be of unitary constructional for small windows, or of telescopic construction for large windows. In Figs. 1 and 2, said rod is shown at the right in full lines, and at the left in broken lines.

With particular reference now to Fig. 6, the invention includes a pair of brackets 24, each of which is of generally inverted U-shaped configuration. The leg portions 41 of each bracket are provided with pairs of spaced and alined horizontal apertures 48 adapted to receive wood screws, whereby to permanently secure the brackets, in proper spaced relation, to the lintel portion 38 of the window frame, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

Numerals 25 and 25a indicate conventional brackets for supporting the curtain rod 23 at either end. When mounted on the carriers 2| and 22 by means of nut and bolt assemblies 49 cooperating with one of the elongated slots 49 of the carriers, these brackets serve to maintain the ends of the truss rod 20 rigidly in place within the respective recesses of said carriers, as is clear from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4.

It should be evident from the foregoing description and from the drawings, that the truss rod 2 thus serves to form a rigid connection between the carriers 2| and 22, so that the latter may be raised or lowered, by means now to be described, in unison.

The means referred to comprises a ,pull cord one end of which passes through and is knotted below the central aperture 50 of the top flange d2 of carrier 22, the other end of which passes through and is knotted below the similar aperture in the carrier 2|.

The left end portion of cord 26 is trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the inner of two wood screws 5| which are employed to permanently secure the left hand bracket 24 to the lintel 38.

The right end portion of said cord is trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the outer of two wood screws 5| which are employed to permanently secure the right hand bracket 24 to the lintel.

An intermediate portion 53 of the cord is trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the inner of the two wood screws employed to permanently secure right hand bracket 24 to the lintel.

As most clearly portrayed in Fig. 3, other intermediate portions of cord 26 pass freely through the inner and outer vertically alined apertures of the top and bottom flanges of carrier 2|, and are joined by an integral loop portion 54 within easy reach of the housewife, as is understood.

In other words, when the carrier-truss rod assembly is in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the said loop portion of cord 26 would belocated below the window sill and adjacent one jamb member of the window frame. Although not shown in the drawing, it is understood that preferably a suitable clip device, such as that illustrated and described in my co-pending application Serial Number 794,360, filed December 29, 1947, now U. S. Patent 2,588,641, dated March 11, 1952, is provided on the right hand jamb member, for releasably retaining said cord to support said assembly in selected position.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2, 13 and 14, numeral 2'! designates a removable hook member of resilient metallic material, and of the configuration shown. As should be evident from the drawings, the free end of hook 21 terminates in a U-s'haped portion 55 adapted to embrace a segment of a conventional curtain rod 23, and the opposite end thereof terminates in an inverted U-shaped portion 56 adapted to embrace the truss rod 21!. It is noted, as previously stated, that this hook is employed on wide windows to support long curtain rods, of either unitary or telescopic construction, so as to obviate sagging thereof.

As best seen in Figs. 5 and 15, the reversely bent clamp portions 45 aforesaid of carriers 2| and 22 serve to retain pads 28 of felt or the like, fora purpose to be explained.

With particular reference to Figs. 7 and 8, and also to Figs. 13 and 14, numeral 29 designates a conventional roller shade assembly supported in operative position between the carriers 2| and 22, by means of ordinary bracket devices 32 utilized to support such an assembly.

It is to be observed that when, as in the case of the curtain rod supporting brackets 25 and 25a, the brackets 32 are fastened to the carriers 2| and 22, they serve .to rigidly retain the ends of truss rod .20 in the carrier recesses previously described.

Portrayed by broken lines in the left hand portion of Fig. 7, and by full lines in the right hand portion thereof, as well as in Fig. 8, are.

ring type drapery supporting fixtures each including an annular member 30 of preferably circular cross-sectional contour, .and a substantially U-shaped bracket 3].

The brackets 3| each include a short leg portion 5! and a longer leg portion 58 joined by an integral bight portion 59., as best seen in Fig. 8. The short leg portion is rigidly secured to the ring member 30. The longer leg portion is provided with vertically spaced apertures, adapted in conjunction with the elongated slots of the carriers 2| and 22, to 'not only by means of nut and bolt assemblies 49 secure each said bracket to a carrier, but also to retain one end of truss rod 20 in place in the recess 46 of said bracket. as should be manifest.

Figs. 9 and 10 demonstrate the use of a drapery supporting arm 33, which is provided with a series of related slots 80 and openings 6| adapted to receive pleats, whereby a gathered effect may be had. Arm 33 is rigidly attached as by rivets 52 to an angular member 36, and the latter is rigidly secured to a mounting bracket 31, which bracket also serves to secure truss rod in place by means of nut and bolt assemblies 49.

The mounting of a swing type drapery arm 34 is portrayed in Figs. 11 through 13. Said arm is pivotallymounted by means of a depending pintle 33 in the forwardly projecting end portion of a mounting bracket 35. It is here noted, that since some mounting brackets are of a configuration similar to bracket 35, the reason for forming the recesses in carriers 2| and 22 above the horizontal centerline thereof, should be obvious.

From the foregoing description and comprehensive illustration, it should be apparent that the invention provides a simple, inexpensive mechanism for attaining its objects.

Installation requires little time or skill, it being only necessary that the brackets 24 be prop erly located, as is understood, and that mounting brackets 25, 3|, or 32 and soon, depending upon the contemplated decoration, have been applied to the carriers.

It will be assumed first of all, that only ourtains are to be hung. Standing in safety and comfort on the floor, the housewife manipulates the cord 25 permitting the carriers to descend until the connecting truss rod 20 is approximately at or below eye level. Thereupon she attaches the loop portion of the cord to a suitable retaining device permanently mounted on the right hand jamb of the window frame.

With both hands free, she may now, without fear of losing her balance or falling, apply the rod and the curtain or curtains, adjust and arrange the folds, and so on. She may step back from the window to inspect the result, and if not satisfied, can easily make further adjustments, before pulling cord 26 downwardly to raise the complete assembly, and thereupon again attach the cord to the retaining device.

It is noted that the truss rod 20 is of prime importance, since it maintains the otherwise separated carriers in horizontal alinement, and that the felt pads 28 prevent marring of the jamb members during raising and lowering operations. It is also noted that the hook member 21 may be employed if desirable.

From the foregoing, it should be manifest that once the invention has been installed, all ourtain or drapery hanging and removal may be done from a standing position on the floor.

This feature is particularly advantageous in regard to drapery, since it is obviously much simpler to arrange folds, fiounces, valances and so on while standing on the floor with both hands free, than to do so while teetering near the ceilmg.

With reference to Fig. 7, for example, the hanging and arranging of a one-piece drape as there suggested in broken lines, has heretofore been a tedious task. My invention, in providing means for lowering the carrier-truss rod assembly to eye level, makes such an operation easy.

Removal and replacement of a roller shade is likewise an easy operation. In this connection, it is noted that the carriers 2| and 22 each have three elongated slots, so that as Fig. 13 clearly demonstrates, three sets of mounting brackets may be simultaneously accommodated, should such an arrangement be desired.

Although I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that changes in the form of elements, rearrangement of parts, or the substitution of equivalent elements, which would be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A pull cord operable mechanism of the character and for the purpose described, said mechanism including in combination: a pair of similar horizontally spaced carrier members each having a vertical body portion, and a top and a bottom rearwardly projecting flange portion integral with the body portion; horizontally spaced apertures formed in said top and bottom flanges for the reception of segments of said pull cord. two of the apertures in the top flange being in vertical alignment with the apertures in the bottom flange; a forwardly inclined reversely bent clamp portion formed on the free end of the bottom flange for the reception and retention of a felt pad; a horizontally disposed truss rod extending between said carriers; a transverse rearwardly projecting recess formed in the body portion of each carrier in a plane above the horizontal centerline thereof for the reception of one end of said truss rod; and means provided in the body portion of each carrier to receive fastening devices for mounting on said carriers conventional curtain rod supporting brackets whereby to maintain the ends of said truss rod in the recesses aforesaid of said carriers.

2. A pull cord operable mechanism of the character and for the purpose described, said mechanism including in combination: a pair of similar horizontally spaced carrier members each having a vertical body portion, and a top and a bottom rearwardly projecting flange portion integral with the body portion; horizontally spaced apertures formed in said top and bottom flanges for the reception of segments of said pull cord, two of the apertures in the top flange being in vertical alignment with the apertures in the bottom flange; a forwardly inclined reversely bent clamp portion formed on the free end of the bottom flange for the reception and retention of a felt pad; 2. horizontally disposed truss rod extending between said carriers; a transverse rearwardly projecting recess formed in the body por" tion of each carrier in a plane above the horizontal centerline thereof for the reception of one end of said truss rod; and a plurality of elongated slots formed in the body portion of the carriers, each of said slots being adapted to receive fastening devices for mounting on each carrier a conventional curtain rod bracket where by to retain the ends of said truss rod in the recesses aforesaid.

3. A pull cord operable mechanism of the character and for the purpose described, said mechanism including in combination: a pair of horizontally spaced inverted U-shaped left and right hand brackets each adapted to be secured to the lintel portion of a window frame by a pair of wood screws; a pair of spaced left and right hand carrier members each having a bracket mounted thereon for supporting one end of a curtain rod; a pull cord the left terminal end of which is attached to the left hand carrier member and the right terminal end of which is attached to the right hand carrier member, a left end portion of said cord being trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the inner one of the pair of screws which are adapted to secure 7 aid left hand inverted U-shaped bracket-to the lintel portion of the window frame, a right end portion of said cord being trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the outer one of the pair of screws which are adapted to secure said righthand inverted U-shaped bracket to said lintel portion, an intermediate portion of the, cord being trained over the unthreaded shank portion of the inner one of the last named pair of screws, other intermediate portions of said cord passing freely through vertically alined apertures provided in portions of the right hand carrier member and being joined below the latter by an integral loop portion; and means for at all times maintaining said spaced carrier members in alignment, said means comprising a horizontally disposed truss rod, and a transverse rearwardly projecting recess formed in the body portion of each carrier for the reception of one end of said rod, said ends being retained in said recesses by the curtain rod supporting brackets aforesaid.

4. The construction defined in claim 3, and means for supporting an intermediate portion of said curtain rod, said means comprising a shift- 25 8 v able hook member of resilient metallic material the free end of which terminates in a U-shaped portion adapted to embrace a segment of said rod, and the opposite end of which terminates in an inverted U-shaped portion adapted to embrace'a segment of said truss bar.

IDA LUNDSTROM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 642,247 Morris et a1 Jan. 30, 1900 772,561 Filson Oct. 18, 1904 810,957 Lynch Jan. 30, 1906 1,333,326 McLean Mar. 9, 1920 1,606,986 Clark Nov. 16, 1926 1,878,773 Griffiths Sept. 20, 1932 2,254,019 Powe1l Aug. 26, 1941 2,374,605 Lundstrom Apr. 24, 1945- 2,490 ,890 Trimarchi et a1 Dec. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country. Date 601,854 Great Britain May 13, 1948. 

